How to get at focus speedo

Put the 4 screws back in the trim panel, then search this Ng using Google Groups for "VSS" or "vehicle speed sensor".

Bottom line is 25UKP and a bit of a bugger to DIY, or around 100UKP for a dealer to do it.

Post back if you need more help.

Chris

Would the odometer go blank if the speed sensor failed?

It's the trip mileage that is affected.

When the sensor stops working, the radio goes quieter (assuming you have configured it to change volume with speed), At the same time, the speedo needle drops to zero. If you come to a halt at this time, often the engine will cut out as you stop. It sometimes even cuts out during gear changes. (It will always restart OK.)

If the ECU fails to see a reading from the VSS for more than a minute or so, it sets the trip display to "----". As soon as the VSS starts working again the trip displays the last recorded reading.

My Focus did it sometimes for about a year before I changed the VSS.

Chris

Ah.

That all makes sense.

I did think the ECU could blank the display as some kind of fault indicator. Then I wondered how it could tell the difference between the VSS failing at 0 and the car actually being stopped.

Indeed, I've pondered upon that point myself :-)

It's definitely what happens however.

Chris

Its clever enough to deduce the car is probably moving from the TPS and MAF sensor signals.

Tim..

That's actually pretty clever - thanks Tim

Chris